- Safiu Kehinde
The immediate past Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has reacted to the Supreme Court’s judgement affirming the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the 2024 gubernatorial election in the state.
NPO Reported that the apex court had on Thursday dismissed the case filed against Okpebholo by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
The court had ruled that the case, challenging the result of the election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), lacked merit.
It upheld Okpebholo’s victory as previous affirmed by the Edo election tribunal and the Court of Appeal respectively.
Shortly after the verdict, Ighodalo had in a statement issued on his official X handle, expressed his disappointment with the judgement which, according to him validated the alleged robbery and rigging witnessed at the September 21, 2024 Guber election.
Also taking to his X handle in reaction to the verdict, Obaseki reiterated that Ighodalo outrightly won the election.
While disagreeing with the decision of the Supreme Court, the former Edo governor in a statement issued on the X handle warned that the manner at which the Edo election was manipulated and judicially validated portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy.
He however urged Ighodalo’s supporters to leave the case to God who, according to him, will deliver divine justice at the appropriate time.
The statement read; “I am profoundly grateful to the good people Of Edo State and Nigerians for their overwhelming support for the victory, which We believe our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its candidate, Dr. Asue lghodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, won in the Edo State Governorship Election, which took place on September 21, 2024.
“It is based on this conviction, and our belief that the results were manipulated that we took steps to seek legal redress, beginning with the Election Petition Tribunal, then the Court of Appeal, and finally, the Supreme Court. But unfortunately, and most surprisingly, all the courts have ruled against us.
“Although we strongly disagree with the decision of the Supreme Court, but as adherents to the rule of law, we are bound by their verdict.
“We, however, want to caution that the iconic manner in which the Edo election was manipulated, coupled with the judicial validation it has received, portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy.
“As people of faith, we leave our matter in God’s hands, trusting that only He knows the appropriate time and manner to deliver divine justice and redemption to our people.
“I encourage our people to keep hope alive as we persist in the struggle to redeem our fatherland. God bless the good people of Edo State. God bless all Nigerians.”